A scream broke the night, and in the next instant, the cold winter air hit Edie as blankets flew away from her, robbing her of warmth.

"What!?" She gasped, breathless in the chill.  By the time her eyes opened, the curtains were nearly still, and her brother paused in stomping his shoes on.

"Stay here," Rennir told her as he yanked on his coat and fled the room, leaving Edie alone in the frigid dark.

"What's going on...?" she murmured, even as she hurriedly dressed to try to preserve her body's heat.  She yanked on and tied her own boots, then hurried after, grabbing her brother's scarf as she did.

"Go back to your homes!" Griff's voice boomed. "Get inside and lock up!"

In the dim of Rennir's lantern, Kina knelt beside Griff, cradling something out of sight.  An infant cried, and questions rose from the gathered people of the town, demanding to know who they were.  The gleam of a knife caught Edie's eye among the crowd.

Rennir hurried between their neighbors and their guests. "They're here on my hospitality!" he shouted.

The neighbors grew quiet, though there was an unbroken tension hung heavy in the air.  The sounds of an unhappy babe continued, and Kina slowly, unsteadily rose.

"Ah... Baby being safe," she said, her words purposefully loud. "No hurt!"

NAMEL sobbed and rushed forward to Kina, taking her infant into her arms. "Thank you," she cried. "Thank you!"

Kina smiled and nodded. "It being of duty, of protecting people from bad things.  Being here, keeping safe everyone."

A few murmurs traveled through the gathered people, and Edie hurried out.

"Edie?" Rennir scowled. "You're supposed to wait inside."

Edie shook her head, but otherwise ignored him as she hurried to the only person left in the town her age. "What happened?"

"The wolves... they broke down the door!  Went after the baby!  They went past me and NAMEM to do it!"

In the corner of her view, Edie saw Kina and Griff exchange looks.

Griff stepped forward and placed a hand on Edie's shoulder. "Miss?  Did you... see the wolves?" He spoke slowly, as though unsure of what to say.

"Aye, me and my NAMEM both!  Big black things!"

Griff frowned, thoughtful. "Has your baby acted oddly at all recently?  If the wolves went past you... isn't that strange?"

"Are you saying they targeted my baby!?" Her voice grew shrill.

"Griff, let it go!" Rennir said as he stepped forward. "She's upset enough right now."

"I—" Griff sighed and took a step away. "You're right.  I'm sorry, Miss.  May I talk to you more about it after you've had some rest?"

NAMEL stared at him, then nodded slowly. "Yes... I... Yes, that would be fine."

Griff smiled at her. "Thank you.  I want to be able to protect you and your family."